Mahesh Tanwar
Sampling Head at Gokaldas Export.
Acharpura, Bhopal
Email: maheshchand52941@gmail.com
Introduction:
In the garment industry, a “pattern” refers to a template or blueprint used as a guide for cutting and assembling fabric pieces to create a garment. Patterns are essential components of the garment production process, serving as the foundation upon which clothing items are constructed. They determine the shape, size, and fit of the garment and are instrumental in ensuring consistency and precision during manufacturing.
Fig: Pattern making in garment industry
Patterns can be created in various ways, including manual methods and digital technologies. Manual pattern making involves skilled artisans known as pattern makers who create templates by drawing and cutting paper or cardboard pieces based on specific measurements and designs. These traditional techniques require expertise and meticulous attention to detail.
Different Types of Software Used in Garment Pattern Making: In the garment industry, various types of software are used to create patterns, manage designs, and streamline the production process. These software tools help designers, pattern makers, and manufacturers in creating accurate patterns, grading sizes, and visualizing designs. Here are some commonly used types of software in the garment industry:
A. Computer-aided design (CAD) software:
CAD software is used for creating detailed and accurate digital designs of garments. Designers use CAD tools to draw and visualize clothing designs, experiment with colours and textures, and create virtual prototypes.
B. Adobe illustrator:
Illustrator is widely used for creating vector-based designs and patterns. It is versatile and allows for precise detailing.
C. CorelDraw:
Similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw is another popular vector graphics software used for designing patterns and illustrations.
D. Pattern making software:
Pattern making software is specifically designed for creating garment patterns. These programs allow pattern makers to draft, modify, and optimize patterns digitally.
1. Optitex: Optitex is a leading 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software for fashion and apparel industries. It enables pattern making, grading, and virtual prototyping.
2. Gerber Technology: Gerber offers a range of software solutions for pattern making, grading, and marker making. Accumark is one of their popular products used in the garment industry.
3. Lectra Modaris: Modaris is a 2D/3D pattern making software used for creating, modifying, and validating patterns. It integrates with other software solutions for a seamless workflow.
4. Grading Software: Grading software is used to create different sizes of a garment pattern. It ensures that the proportions and fit remain consistent across various sizes.
5. PAD System: PAD System is known for its pattern grading capabilities. It helps in scaling patterns up or down to create multiple sizes.
6. Tukatech: Tukatech offers various software solutions for pattern grading and marker making. It helps optimize fabric utilization during production.
7. Marker Making Software:Marker making software is used to generate optimized layouts for cutting fabric, minimizing waste, and improving efficiency.
8. Lectra Diamino Fashion: Diamino Fashion is used for marker making and helps in creating markers that minimize fabric wastage.
9. Gerber AccuMark: AccuMark includes marker making tools that enable manufacturers to create efficient markers for cutting fabric.
10. 3D Virtual Prototyping Software: 3D virtual prototyping software allows designers and manufacturers to visualize garments in a virtual environment. This technology helps in reducing the need for physical prototypes, saving time and resources.
11. CLO 3D: CLO is a popular 3D fashion design software that enables designers to create realistic 3D garments, simulate fabric behaviour, and visualize designs on virtual models.
12. Browzwear: Browzwear offers 3D solutions for fashion design and development, allowing designers to create, visualize, and validate designs in a virtual 3D environment.
Conclusion: These software tools are essential in the garment industry, helping professionals create high-quality patterns, optimize production processes, and bring creative designs to life efficiently.
In summary, patterns are the foundation of garment production, ensuring that designs are translated accurately from concept to finished product. Whether created manually by skilled artisans or generated using advanced digital technologies, patterns play a vital role in shaping the garments we wear.
References:
“Patternmaking for Fashion Design” by Helen Joseph Armstrong: This comprehensive book is widely used in fashion design education and provides detailed insights into pattern making techniques.
“Pattern Cutting for Clothing Using CAD: How to Use Lectra Modaris Pattern Cutting Software” by M. Stott: This book focuses on digital pattern making using CAD software, offering practical guidance for beginners and professionals alike.
“Metric Pattern Cutting for Women’s Wear” by Winifred Aldrich: This book is a practical guide to creating women’s wear patterns, emphasizing the use of basic blocks and adjustments for different styles.
YouTube Channels: There are numerous YouTube channels dedicated to pattern making and sewing tutorials. Some popular channels include Sew over It, The Sewing Guru, and Professor Pincushion.
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
Very helpful, but which software would you consider to be the best for auto grading